east down to the beach area and drive north to the end. After a short level 1 mile walk with views of Port Susan

Bay, a beaver activity area, and the “Hobbit Trail”, drivers will caravan to Kristoferson Creek Habitat for a

short visit. The caravan directions to the next stop at English Boom Historical Park will be handed out at

Iverson Spit. The walk at English Boom Historical Park is about 1 mile in length on a marsh trail along Skagit

Bay. Baker view, interpretive boards and a boardwalk are some of the special features of this historical park..

Saturday, June 2:Barnum Point County Park: UPDATE Our first walk at one of Island County's newest parks. From Terry’s Corner take Sunrise Blvd and follow for 2 3/4 miles
to end of road. The parking area is straight at the end of Sunrise Blvd. The walk is about 2.3 miles.

A Special Work Party has been added on Sunday, May 6 @ The Camano Center

Boy Scouts will be there to help us spread cedar chips on the Perimeter Trail. The trail is fairly level and tools will be supplied.

If we get a good turn out we can rake and prune the trail behind the Center as well. If you can make it and would like to bring along your favorite rake, shovel, etc. that is okay. Hope see you. -------- Tom

Meet at 9:30 am at the Camano Island State Park Ranger Station.

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Our work parties are usually held the first three Tuesdays of the month. We meet at the Camano Island State Park Ranger Station at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Don't forget your volunteer parking pass or your Discover Pass. Rain or shine, so wear the right gear! Join us at the work parties and find a task that fits!

Work Party Cancellation Policy

If Stanwood/Camano Island schools are delayed due to weather, FOCIP work parties will be cancelled.

If work parties are cancelled for any other reason (such as high winds), FOCIP will send an email to regular work party volunteers and post an update to our web site.

For School Weather Delay information, c

all 629-1240.

We are always looking for help from volunteers at the Four Springs or Camano Center gardens -just a couple of hours on some Tuesdays for mostly weeding and planting. FOCIP provides the tools. If you would send us your email, we'll send out times and dates to those specific volunteers. You can also check the calendar at http://www.camanowildlifehabitat.org/

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our FOCIP members and the FOCIP Board for your quick response in support of the acquisition of parcels to expand the Barnum Point County Park. Your e-mails were a large factor in the County’s decision to continue with this special opportunity. We have always known that Camano Island is a special place, and I’ve once again confirmed that the people on our Island are special also. Thanks so much to all of you for what you have done. Tom Eisenberg, President"

Urgent Request re Barnum Point

Please consider emailing Camano Island's County Commissioner, Rick Hannold at district3@co.island.wa.us requesting his support for partnering with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust to expand the Barnum Point County Park. See attached a Barnum Parcels map for the project area. Your email needs to be sent to Commissioner Hannold by Tuesday, April 19th.

The County has a one-time opportunity to place the entirety of the Point into a public park, including almost a mile of shoreline along with forested marine feeder bluff and 48 acres of private tidelands. It’s important to point out to Commissioner Hannold that Barnum Point is the last possibility for public to acquire low bank waterfront acreage on Camano Island. The property is not only historic and iconic but also a vital key to the environmental health of Livingston and Port Susan bays and the Stillaguamish estuary.

FOCIP strongly urges you to craft your own message so that each email is personalized. Please this doesn’t have to be elaborating just your thoughts, but it does have to be done now.

You may find additional information in the Land Trusts recent article on Protecting the Point (attached). Thank you for your support in conveying the importance of this opportunity for Camano Islanders to Commissioner Hannold. Without his support this opportunity could be lost forever. If you support this project please share this with friends, family, groups, and neighbors who live on Camano Island.

Looking for info on the free programs usually held the third Wednesday of the month at the Camano Multi-purpose Center? The latest info is always available at our sister website, http://www.camanowildlifehabitat.org/

The FOCIP volunteers who currently maintain the kiosks and brochure boxes at our Camano Island parks are no longer able to do so. Please consider adopting a kiosk or brochure box. Email focip11@gmail.com if you are interested.

****changes out the posters 3 times a year in most cases. Monthly clean off cobwebs and replace brochure box info. Takes a screwdriver, cleaning cloths, stapler and staples, etc. Need to take a step ladder at times.

Has folders of pictures of animals, birds, flowers and different colored papers for art work. A laminator is available for 8 ½ x 11 laminating. Gets posters from different events and has a collection of different ones for use.

Brochure Boxes:

Cleans boxes & changes out on monthly basis. During wet winter months only a few brochures are placed. Marks brochures to indicate which park they were placed in.

Without a town on the island and a small
county office frequently closed, Camano Islanders have learned how to
get things done — they just do it their way. Before 1994, with just a
state park and a handful of boat launches and picnic spots, getting to
the beach or the forest was tough. Too many no trespassing signs warned
people to stay away. Opportunities changed when community members found
ways to protect natural areas with forests and shorelines. Volunteer
efforts supported by nonprofit organizations made the island a welcoming
spot for residents, visitors, and wildlife. These natural places that
citizens preserved each has its story. Explore Camano Island — the
natural land and water, its history, and the people wishing to live in
harmony with nature.

Written by FOCIP member Val Schroeder

Proceeds from this book will be donated to support FOCIP and the Whidbey Camano Land Trust's efforts to protect natural habitat on Camano.

Available at Friends of Camano Island Parks events for $20 as a Fundraiser, including BWH programs (3rd Wednesday, 7 PM,Camano Multipurpose Center (Blue Building), 141 East Camano Drive, Camano Island. See http://www.camanowildlifehabitat.org/ for more info).